What is Scrum Sniff Test?

Scrum and Sniff Terminology

The subset of Agile Software Development process, Scrum is a framework for project management that emphasizes teamwork, accountability and iterative progress towards a well-defined goal. It is a lightweight process framework of agile development and is widely used by most software developers. As creating a software is a complex process, Scrum helps in executing complicated tasks and enables the team members to focus on all the aspects of the software, such as its quality, performance, usability, and more. It uses indicators that allow the testers to question the functionality as well as the quality of the software. These indicators are called “Scrum Smells” by those who use Scrum for agile development.

It is through proper sniffing of these indicators/scrum smells that a tester finds the defects in the system, which are than evaluated through Scrum Sniff Test and presented to the testers. To get a better understanding of Scrum and Scrum Sniff Test, here is a detailed analysis of the same.


Scrum framework was first introduced in software development in 1986. It is a part of agile methodology and is distinguished from other agile processes by specific concepts and practises. Divided into three categories– role, artefacts and time boxes –Scrum takes care of complex and critical software and product development. Scrum tracks the progress of the software and makes necessary changes. It ensures that product is of the best quality and provides results that are as per the requirement of the client. Transparency, inspection and adaptation are the three pillars of Scrum which make it a reliable testing technique. Moreover, Scrum has three major roles that are:

  1. Product Owner: The Product Owner defines the features of the product and decides its release date and corresponding features. These features are prioritized according to the market value and profit of the product. The role of Product Owner is essential as they reject and accept the work item result at the end of the whole process.
  2. Development Team: The development team is a group of 5 to 9 people and consists of developers, software designers and testers. Development team organize and schedule their work on their own and have the right to do everything within the boundaries of the project to meet the sprint goal.
  3. Scrum Master: This is the most important role in Scrum Framework. Scrum Master manages the team and looks after the productivity of the team. S/He maintains the block list, removes barrier in the development, coordinates with all the roles and functions, shields the team from external interferences, and manages meetings for daily scrum, sprint review and sprint planning meeting.
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Scrum Sniff Test

Scrum Sniff Test is the process of finding defects and errors during the process of agile software development. It uses indicators like Scrum Smell, which informs the team of developers about all the discrepancies found during the development process. From bugs to technical debts, scrum sniff test keeps a track of all the elements related to the software and tackles them exceptionally. Following are the various defects managed and detected through Scrum Sniff Test:

  • Technical Debt:The backlog can contain a huge amount of technical debt. These usually need work and evaluation and are detected through Scrum Sniff test. After proper examination and testing, these are approved by product owner and are moved to the Sprint.
  • Scope Creep: When the project takes more than estimated time and efforts, it is referred as Scope creep. This test makes sure that the team re-evaluates the sprint backlog and other elements to make it as per the demands of the end user.
  • Unfinished work: All the work that are left unfinished by the team in the sprint and other areas, are detected and completed by the team members.
  • Bugs: With the assistance of Scrum Sniff test, developers can find bugs that are cluttered in the backlogs. These are usually undetected bugs and errors, which can affect the quality and functionality of the software.

Processes of Scrum Sniff Test:

As stated before, Scrum is a subdivision of Agile Methodologies, which encourages practitioners to work with the available data and information. Moreover, it repeatedly evaluates the features and functionality of the system and continuously tracks its working process. With the implementation of this procedure, the testers are able to check which features of the system are working and which are not. Communication is the most important element of this process, which is carried out through meetings that are known as Events.

The process of Scrum in agile development is further divided into four categories, which are:

  1. Daily Scrum: Hosted by Scrum Master, this is a short stand-up meeting, which is conducted every day at the same place and time. In this meeting the completed work is reviewed by the whole team after which they plan the work that needs to be done in the next 24 hours. All the defects and issues are discussed here so that proper measures are taken to overcome them.
  2. Sprint Planning Meeting: This refers to the time frame in which the work is required to be completed. This time frame is often of 30 days and during this period the aim of the team is to set the goals for evaluation and testing the software. Furthermore, the team makes sure that by the end of this cycle, at least one useful piece of software is completely prepared.
  3. Sprint Review: The third stage of Scrum is Sprint Review is hosted by the Scrum Master, in which the increment is prepared for evaluation and review.
  4. Sprint Retrospective: Once the Sprint Review ends, a meeting is organized which is known as Sprint Retrospective. Here there team members discuss and reflect upon the Sprint process. The goal of this category is to improve the structures and abilities of the software production process.

Advantages of Using Scrum:

Scrum is mostly used by developers and testers to manage complex software and project development, using iterative and incremental practices. It is a process that significantly increases productivity and reduces time, which further benefits the organizations using it. Scrum processes enable organizations to adjust smoothly to rapidly-changing requirements, and produce a product that meets evolving business goals. Hence, there are several advantages of using Scrum for the process of software testing.

  • Scrum increases the quality of the deliverables.
  • Can easily cope better with changes as they are expected.
  • Biggest advantage of using Scrum is that, it provides better estimates while spending less time creating them.
  • The teams are more in control of the project and schedule with Scrum testing.


Built on the pillars of transparency, inspection and adaptation, Scrum is the best Agile Methodology. It helps developers to create products that are thoroughly tested and are of highest quality, which further benefits the organizations they are created for. Moreover, this process is quick and effortless, and provides expected results. With the assistance of Scrum Sniff Test one can sniff all the errors in the software and deal with them appropriately. The biggest advantage of using Scrum is that, it can easily deal with complex software and product development and ensure that its quality, performance, and usability are the best. Hence, all these factors and benefits makes Scrum popular among software developers all around the world.

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